i have been called to serve a mission for the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints for eighteen months in the nicaragua managua south mission. my family has agreed to post my weekly emails here, as well as any comments or posts they wish to add.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

el 30 de Marzo

i didn't think i would get excited about a new agenda, and then we got a new one, and all that went out the window. i am so excited for my new agenda!! i have come to find out that "a normal day in the mission" doesn't exist. a normal day is a day that doesn't go as planned at all. and thank goodness for the little space each day called ::back up plan:: or we would be up a creek pretty much everyday. my district has it right when he says that your agenda is the order of how you are going to see people, not the time. and that's almost 100% accurate.

its always an interesting week, and i have really come to love my study time. this week, i found the november 2012 liahona, which is the conference edition where President Monson changed the mission age, and planted the seed for me to even be here. i have been reading through some of the talks. i can't help but love Elder Anderson's talk. Something we talk a lot about with our recent converts is trials and perserving in ALL trials, especially those of our faith. Elder Nelso quotes President Benson when he said "every person eventually is backed up to the wall of faith and there must make his stand." and that is so true, hermanos. our trials are here to help us grow and learn. Moroni asks for our forgiveness for his weakness in writing, but also says "give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections that ye may be more wise than we have been." *mormon 9:31* we are given trials to help other people through theirs later in life. Spencer W. Kimball said "God does notice us. and He watches over us, but it is usually through another person that he meets our needs." and i believe that wholeheartedly. we weren't meant to walk this path alone. family, friends, the Church, and Jesus Christ are here to walk this path alongside us and support us in our times of need. Elder Anderson goes on to say "when you are faced with a test of faith, stay within the safety and security of the household of God. no trial is so large we can't overcome it together." and that is so true. "distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the saftey of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes into view." we are here to help and support each other. the scriptures say "the church did meet together oft, to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls." *moroni 6:5* our job as friends and church members is to support each other. be the answer to someone's prayer today. pray for opportunities to serve, and then go out and look for them.

this week was weird, but i have come to realize that missionary work is weird. but weird is great! i love it here, and changes are hard. this week is transfers and we found out tomorrow night who is leaving, and who is staying. all good things must come to an end, and my good thing gets to stay just a little while longer. these are some pictures of my district, hermana abadilo and hermana mcarthur; elder weyand and elder valesquez; hermana gomez and i.